A Meaningful Iftar: Sustainability, Community, and Growth

Ramadan is always a time of reflection, but the Grand Iftar event, held under the umbrella of the South Manchester Muslim Walking Group, was something truly special. Hosted as part of Islamic Relief UK’s "Fast on Waste campaign", it wasn’t just about breaking our fast together. It was about learning how to integrate sustainable practices into our daily lives while strengthening our bonds as a community.

The food was catered by My Lahore Events Manchester which included a variety of meat and vegetarian options with plenty for everyone, and all of authentic taste, catering to different types of people. The event was affordably priced, making it accessible to everyone while still maintaining quality in every aspect. What stood out to me most was the presentation on sustainability by Rehaan Farrukh and the ḥalaqah by Mufti Afnan, a beautiful discussion from an Islamic perspective. We explored the teachings of our faith that emphasize caring for the earth, avoiding unnecessary plastic use, and being mindful of our consumption. It was a much-needed reminder that living sustainably isn’t just an environmental concern—it’s deeply rooted in our deen and carries rewards both in this life and the next.

As part of the event, there was a short group walk before it officially began. We prayed namaz together, opened our fast with zamzam water and kujur, enjoyed a three-course meal, cut a cake together to mark the occasion, took some pictures, spent time networking whilst re-lishing a cup of tea, and browsed some interesting stalls. The highlight for me, though, was the incredible act of generosity we all contributed to. We raised £292 for the Fruit Tree plantation project led under the Association of Pakistani Physicians and Surgeons UK Foundation, which will help plant fruit trees in some of the most underprivileged areas of Pakistan. Knowing that our gathering directly led to something so meaningful made the experience even more rewarding. I would like to say a special thank you to Dr Farrukh Irshad for his generous contribution towards the Fruit Tree Plantation project, Mashallah.

The event itself was well-organized, with a spacious venue, an easy-to-find location, and plenty of accessible parking. This was the second big Social Space event, and it’s only gotten better than the first. With each gathering, there’s clear progress, and it’s great to see the dedication to continuously refining and improving the experience for attendees. All of this has been made possible under the vision of the founder, Amir Hannan, and the dedicated team who worked hard to ensure the smooth running of the event.

One of the best things about these events and the walks is that it doesn’t matter which background you’re from, or whether you’re single, married, or divorced. Everyone is welcome. It’s not just groups of families and friends attending—most people don’t know each other beforehand. There’s a mix of individuals, newcomers, and people with no previous familiarity with the group, all coming together in an easygoing environment. The group also includes people from all age brackets, which makes it feel safe and inclusive. It’s not cliquey, and it’s nice to have elders there as well, bringing wisdom and a sense of balance to the space. Breaking the ice is effortless, and because everyone is new to one another, no one feels out of place. So if you’re thinking of coming—whether it’s on your own or with someone—you won’t feel awkward. Just give it a try, because that’s exactly what I did, and now it’s officially been a year since I joined South Manchester Muslim Walking Group. It’s proven to be fruitful for me and became a great excuse to organically meet like-minded people, some of whom have now become good friends.

The next big Social Space event is the official Eid al-Fitr lunch, held on April 5th. If you’d like to see what it’s all about, it would be nice to see you there Inshallah. 😊 If you want to see photos and videos of the event then click here to see what happened via our facebook page

Kiren Hussain, a frequent walker with SMMWG for the past year.